Investing in You

Cleaning out the garage, basement, or junk drawer? You’re not alone. Many of us wonder where to take those odds and ends that don’t belong in the trash. Because Lenawee County doesn’t have its own landfill, it takes a little extra planning to recycle or dispose of certain items. The good news is that there are plenty of local options once you know where to look.

Batteries are a good place to start. Instead of tossing them in the trash, you can drop off all recyclable batteries at Battery Wholesale in Adrian. Lowe’s and Staples also take rechargeable and lithium batteries, while Recycle Ann Arbor accepts many types as well. A quick phone call before heading out will save you time.

Bulk trash—things like couches, mattresses, or broken furniture—requires a bit more effort. Some municipalities and waste haulers have special pickup days, so check with them first. If that’s not available, nearby sites such as Liberty Landfill in Clarklake, the Jefferson Township Transfer Station in Osseo, or Stevens Disposal in Petersburg will accept large items for a fee.

Electronics and appliances often pile up in the basement or garage. If they’re still in good condition, consider donating them. If not, Goodwill Headquarters on Division Street (next to Lowe’s) accepts many electronics, and Staples takes select items. Appliances can be dropped off at Appliance Jack’s in Adrian. It’s always best to call first to confirm.

Books and cardboard are two items many households have in abundance. Donating books to your local library, Goodwill, or Salvation Army gives them a second life. Paperbacks, magazines, and newspapers can go to the Lenawee County Recycling Drop-Off Site, while hardcovers need to go in the trash. Cardboard is accepted at the county site as well—just be sure to flatten boxes. If you’ve got a large load, Goodwill Industries on Division Street has a recycling center that makes drop-off easy.

Certain items require more careful handling. Fluorescent tubes can be taken to the County Building & Grounds Department during weekday hours for a fee, while compact fluorescent bulbs are accepted at Recycle Ann Arbor or Home Depot stores in Jackson and Ypsilanti. Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners contain Freon and must be serviced by a professional before disposal; local heating and cooling companies can assist for a fee. Latex paint can be dried out and placed in the trash, but oil-based and spray paints must go through hazardous waste disposal. You can either hang onto them until the hazardous waste collection in the spring, or bring them to ERG Environmental in Livonia. Yard waste, by law, cannot be sent to a landfill. Instead, use municipal pickup programs or composting facilities such as the Adrian Composting Facility or Mulch King in Temperance.

For household hazardous waste like pesticides, solvents, and used motor oil, Lenawee County does not operate its own collection program. However, Wacker Chemical and Anderson Development host a community event each spring, and Recycle Ann Arbor (only certain items; look online for their list) or ERG Environmental in Livonia accept hazardous materials year-round for a fee.

There are also plenty of solutions for odds and ends. Prescription medications can be dropped off at most local police stations. Propane tanks are accepted at Baker’s Gas. Scrap metal can be taken to OMNI Source, R&M Recycling, or Goodwill. Styrofoam and shipping supplies can be recycled through Postal Plus, GreenJack, Dart Container, or Recycle Ann Arbor. For tires, keep an eye out for seasonal county collection events, or call Jefferson Township Transfer Station or Huffman Rubber.

Taking the time to recycle or properly dispose of household items might seem like extra work, but it makes a real difference for Lenawee County. From electronics to yard waste, knowing where to go helps keep our community safe and clean. Small steps, like sorting recyclables or finding the right drop-off location, add up—together, we can make a big impact. For more information, view, prin and share our Trash and Recycle Cheat Sheet.